Method of generating a personalized exercise program for a user

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a method of generating a personalized exercise program for a user. Fitness related data indicating an initial physical fitness shape of the user are acquired from the user and used for constructing a fitness proposal for the user. The constructing includes comparing the acquired fitness related data with reference fitness data for corresponding fitness categories, where the reference fitness data are selected in accordance to the acquired fitness related data and indicate a reference fitness shape for the user. A deviation indicator is determined for each of the categories indicating the deviation between the acquired fitness related data and the reference data within the same fitness category. The deviation indicators are subsequently presented to the user so as to indicate the initial physical fitness shape of the user compared to the reference fitness shape for each of the categories. First input data are then received from the user indicating the user&#39;s target level for each of the categories, and finally an exercise plan is composed based on the received user input, the composing being performed in accordance to a set of rules.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a system of generating apersonalized exercise program for a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compelling evidence exists that exercising has a positive impact onhealth and well-being. Nevertheless, in spite of the availability ofmany exercise tools and facilities, many people worldwide fail toexercise at a level that is recommended to maintain a good physicalfitness level according to scientifically accepted guidelines

Since physical fitness is not a one-dimensional concept, but in factcomprises several categories like cardiovascular endurance, musclestatus and function, flexibility, coordination, body composition andsome more, it's quite obvious that users often are overcharged indeveloping their own efficient exercise programs. Each of thesecategories is related to physical fitness and the contribution of eachof the categories to fitness, and therefore to health, varies acrossindividuals. This underscores the need for a personalized exerciseprogram. Moreover, a personalized program to exercise in a safe,effective and time-efficient manner would address the lack of timebarrier, which is expressed by many people as one of the major reasonsfor not engaging in exercising.

So, to maintain a good health from a physical fitness point of viewmeans to have at least a sufficient performance level in each of thecategories of fitness. Scientific research has shown that afterstratification, cardiovascular endurance, muscle status and function(strength), flexibility, balance and body composition seem to be themost relevant. For each individual the capabilities in each of thesecategories are developed differently. Since it is neither obvious nortrivial how to assess these, a serious exercise program would require asound support to the user for a professionally-endorsed assessment ofhis physical fitness status covering each of the categories.

Based on the assessment, the user would be able to develop a wellplanned and efficient program that fits his/her own needs. To arrive atsuch a personalized and efficient exercise program, some additionalinformation like different importance of the components of physicalfitness, training principles, safety rules etc. needs to be considered.Several references exist disclosing developing training programs forusers.

US 2005164833 discloses providing a user with the flexibility ofchoosing their own personal trainer from a group of personal trainersand their own exercise routine to follow in order to get the desiredphysical body result. When the user chooses the area of interest theinvention provides a sequence of exercise routines to follow ondifferent gym equipment to achieve the desired result. The selectedtrainer graphically demonstrates the use of the gym equipment on thecomputing device of their choice and the user follows the exerciseroutine at their own pace and at a place and time of their ownconvenience. Although this reference allows a user to create up to someextent a personalized exercise routine the user will still need toconsult a training- or health professional, which is often costly andunpractical.

The inventor of the present invention has appreciated that an improvedsystem and a method for developing exercise programs is of benefit, andhas in consequence devised the present invention.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve an improvement in generating apersonalized program for a user that takes all necessary informationinto consideration. It would also be desirable to enable creating apersonalized exercise plan such that the user no longer needs to consulta training- or health professional. In general, the invention preferablyseeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages singly or in any combination. In particular, itmay be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a methodand a system that solves the above mentioned problems, or otherproblems, of the prior art.

To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect ofthe invention a method is provided of generating a personalized exerciseprogram template for a user, comprising:

acquiring fitness related data from the user indicating an initialphysical fitness shape of the user, the acquired fitness related databeing based on physical fitness results from a number of fitness testsundergone by the user in one or more fitness categories,

constructing a fitness proposal plan for the user based on saidcollected fitness related data, the constructing including:

-   -   comparing the acquired fitness related data with reference        fitness data for corresponding fitness tests results in one or        more corresponding fitness categories the reference fitness data        being selected in accordance to said acquired fitness related        data and indicate a reference fitness shape for the user,    -   determining a deviation indicator for each of said categories        indicating the deviation between the acquired fitness related        data and said reference data within the same fitness category,

presenting the deviation indicators to the user so as to indicate theinitial physical fitness shape of the user compared to said referencefitness shape for each of said categories,

receiving first input data from the user indicting the user's targeteffort for each of said categories, and

composing an exercise program template for the user based on thereceived user input, the composing being performed in accordance to aset of rules indicating:

-   -   distribution of said effort for each of said categories over        exercise sessions, and    -   exercise prescriptions for corresponding said categories and        said sessions.

Accordingly, by receiving said first input data it is possible to createan individual exercise plan for the user based on personal results of aprevious assessment of the user's physical fitness, where weaknesses andstrengths of the user are taken into account, and wherescientifically-based training principles are applied via said set ofrules, as well as exercise scientific and behavioral knowledge. Theexercise prescriptions describe as an example the number of sessions,length of the session, pauses between sessions, length of the programand also specifications within a session (intensity, pauses,repetition/duration etc.).

As an example, said distribution of efforts could suggest the following:The system recommends to the user to exercise in 3 fitness categories(endurance, strength and flexibility) based on the results of theprevious fitness assessment. The amount of effort is also recommended bythe system, but could be adjusted by the user according to his/herpreferences. A possible distribution could be: Monday: 30 minutesendurance category and 10 minutes flexibility category. Thursday: 30minutes strength category and 10 minutes flexibility category. Thisselection of categories and distribution of efforts plus prescriptionsper category is based on a previous fitness assessment, scientifictraining principles as well as behavior change strategies and is calledthe exercise program template which is valid for a certain period oftime e.g. 12 weeks. The same applies for the other categories orcombinations of those.

In one embodiment, said set of rules further indicate:

exercise suggestions for the corresponding said categories and saidsessions, the method further comprising,

receiving second input data from the user (111) indicating the user'spreferred exercises based on the exercise suggestions, and

using the received second input data in composing a personalizedexercise program.

By exercise suggestions is meant an exercise library from which the usercan select exercises per fitness category via the second input data.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises receiving third inputdata from the user, the third input data being selected from:

the moments the user wants to exercise,

the durations the user wants to exercise at the exercise sessions,

a duration of the exercise program,

a combination of one or more of the above,

where the received third input data are used in composing a personalizedexercise program. Based on these additional second and/or third inputdata, the user is given room for personal preferences or limitations bye.g. setting of behavioral fitness goals and raising commitment througha high level of user involvement, to come to a personalized fitness planvia the exercise program template. The moments are typically days in theweek.

In one embodiment, the acquired fitness related data further include:

the age of the user, or

the gender of the user, or

medical related data indicating the medical condition of the user, or

psychological status of the user, or

a combination of one or more of the above.

In one embodiment, said number of categories is selected from:

endurance,

strength,

balance,

flexibility,

body composition,

a combination of one or more of the above,

wherein each of said categories is scaled into two or more performancelevels.

In a second aspect the invention relates to a computer program productfor instructing a processing unit to execute the above mentioned methodsteps when the product is run on a computer.

In a third aspect the invention relates to a physical fitness system forgenerating a personalized exercise program template for a user,comprising.

a first input unit for acquiring fitness related data from the userindicating an initial physical fitness shape of the user, the acquiredfitness related data being based on physical fitness results from anumber of fitness tests undergone by the user in one or more fitnesscategories,

a processor for constructing a fitness proposal plan for the user basedon said collected fitness related data, the constructing including:

-   -   comparing the acquired fitness related data with reference        fitness data for corresponding fitness tests results in one or        more corresponding fitness categories, the reference fitness        data being selected in accordance to said acquired fitness        related data and indicate a reference fitness shape for the        user,    -   determining a deviation indicator for each of said categories        indicating the deviation between the acquired fitness related        data and said reference data within the same fitness category,

a display for presenting the deviation indicators to the user so as toindicate the initial physical fitness shape of the user compared to saidreference fitness shape for each of said categories,

a second input unit for receiving first input data from the userindicting the user's target effort for each of said categories, and

a processor for composing an exercise program template for the userbased on the received user input, the composing being performed inaccordance to a set of rules indicating:

-   -   distribution of said effort for each of said categories over        exercise sessions, and    -   exercise prescriptions for the corresponding said categories and        said sessions.

In one embodiment, said set of rules further indicate exercisesuggestions for the corresponding said categories and said sessions, thesystem further comprises a third input unit for receiving second inputdata from the user indicating the user's preferred exercises for each ofthe said exercise sessions in said exercise program template, where theprocessor uses the received second input data in composing apersonalized exercise program.

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a fourth input unit forreceiving third input data from the user, the third input data beingselected from the moments the user wants to exercise, the durations theuser wants to exercise at the exercise sessions, a duration of theexercise program, a combination of one or more of the above, where thereceived third input data are used in composing a personalized exerciseprogram.

The aspects of the present invention may each be combined with any ofthe other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will beapparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments describedhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only,with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to thepresent invention of generating a personalized exercise program templatefor a user,

FIGS. 2 a-d show an example of a graphical presentation of generating apersonalized exercise program template for a user as discussed inrelation to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 depicts graphically one embodiment of the present invention wherethe user is given the option of filling out a template with exercises ofhis/her own choice,

FIG. 4 depicts graphically one embodiment of the present inventionshowing where a user interface is used for assisting the user inselecting the desired exercise intensity, and

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a physical fitness system according to thepresent invention for generating a personalized exercise programtemplate for a user.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method according to thepresent invention of generating a personalized exercise program templatefor a user.

In step (S1) 101, fitness related data are acquired from the userindicating an initial physical fitness shape of the user, the acquiredfitness related data being based on physical fitness results from anumber of fitness tests undergone by the user in one or more fitnesscategories. The categories may e.g. be selected from endurance,strength, balance, flexibility and body composition. Also, as will bediscussed in more detail later, each of these categories may be scaledinto two or more performance levels. The fitness related data mayfurther include data about the age of the user, gender,smoker/non-smoker, psychological status of the user etc.

In step (S2) 103, a fitness proposal plan is constructed for the userbased on the collected fitness related data by comparing the acquiredfitness related data with reference fitness data for correspondingfitness test results in one or more corresponding fitness categories. Asan example, the reference fitness data may be selected for a user of thesame age, same gender and with a similar medical history. The step (S2)further includes determining a deviation indicator for each of thecategories which indicates the deviation between the acquired fitnessrelated data and said reference data within the same fitness category.

In step (S3) 105, the deviation indicators are presented to the user soas to indicate the initial physical fitness shape of the user comparedto said reference fitness shape for each of said categories. As will bediscussed in more details later, this may e.g. be done by presentingpillars (e.g. one for endurance, one for strength, one for balance etc.)for the categories to the user where the height of each pillar shows howmuch the user deviates from the references fitness shape values.

In step (S4) 107, first input data are received from the user indictingthe user's target effort for each of said categories. The user canaccordingly adjust these pillars according to his/her preferences,abilities or limitations.

In step (S5) 109, an exercise program template is composed for the userbased on the received user input. The composing is performed inaccordance to a set of rules indicating the distribution of the effortfor each of said categories over exercise sessions, and exerciseprescriptions for the corresponding said categories and said sessions,e.g. number of sessions, length of the session, pauses between sessions,length of the program and also specifications within a session(intensity, pauses, repetition/duration etc.).

In one embodiment, said set of rules further indicate exercisesuggestions for the corresponding said categories and said sessionsmeaning that the exercise suggestions are a kind of an exercise libraryfrom which the user can select exercises per fitness category.

The set of rules can be rules defined based on scientific trainingprinciples so that it makes sure that the distribution of the exercisesessions is correct (e.g. at least one resting day between trainingsessions addressing the same fitness category) and that the distributionof categories within each session is correct (e.g. running and upperbody training on Monday, a cycling and lower body training on Wednesday,etc.).

In step (S6) 111, second input data are received from the userindicating the user's preferred exercises based on said exercisesuggestions, where the received second input data are used in composinga personalized exercise program.

In step (S7) 113, third input data selected from the moments the userwants to exercise, the durations the user wants to exercise at theexercise sessions, a duration of the exercise program, a combination ofone or more of the above, where the received third input data are usedin composing a personalized exercise program.

These additional second and third data will accordingly also be takeninto account in composing said personalized exercise program and thusadditional requirements from the user may be taken into account, e.g.which days are preferred and the maximum time for each training session.However, since rules are applied to compose the exercise programtemplate it will be ensured that the composing will be optimized for theuser and in accordance to said scientific training principles.

FIG. 2 a-d shows an example of a graphical presentation of generating apersonalized exercise program template for a user as discussed inrelation to FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 a shows a display 503 displaying indicating a fitness proposalplan after comparing fitness related data acquired from the user basedon physical fitness assessment with reference fitness data forcorresponding fitness tests results in one or more corresponding fitnesscategories. As depicted in FIG. 2 a said deviation indicators arepresented as pillars 200 a-e where the height of the pillars correspondsto the size of the gap between the user's current level (determined in aprevious fitness assessment) and a desired level (e.g. populationaverage or healthy level) meaning that the higher the pillars are thelarger is the gap between the user's current fitness level compared tothe reference level.

FIG. 2 b shows where the user can enter said first input data at thedisplay 503 by adjusting these efforts according to his/her preferences,interests, abilities or limitations by moving buttons 201 a-e up or downvia e.g. a mouse command or a tough button interface and the like. As anexample, the user may think that due to previous injuries he/she can notfocus too much on endurance, or the user may simply think that enduranceis boring and therefore reduce this category. Thus, the user can movebutton 201 down, while keeping the remaining categories unchanged. Basedon this first input data from the user, category endurance will bereduced whereas the remaining categories remain the same.

FIG. 2 c shows where the user can enter said third input data at thedisplay 503 by graphically enter the times and durations he/she wants toexercise and subsequently trainings principles and exercise knowledgeare applied to compose an exercise program template for the user. As anexample, if the user indicates two consecutive days a trainingscientific rationale (Principle of Supercompensation) may be applied toindicate why this is not optimal and recommends reconsidering exercisingon other days. Assuming the user has fully accomplished the first12-week program and chooses the same exercise times/durations for thesecond program another training principle (Principle of Overload) may begiven to the user suggesting to increase the days per week or durationper session.

FIG. 2 d shows where an exercise program template has been composed andis displayed at the display 503 where the individual improvement areasof the user are considered as well as his/her availability during theweek.

Example of composing an exercise plan:i) The number of days per week the user wants to exercise is received.ii) Data relating to the user's target effort are received, e.g. targeteffort for Balance, Strength, and Flexibility. The effort of BodyComposition is split equally over the Endurance group and theBalance-Strength-Flexibility group (since body composition can beaddressed by both Endurance and Strength exercises). These effortnumbers are then converted to two percentages. When using 10 points forlow effort, 20 for medium effort, and 30 for high effort, in the exampleabove the relative efforts are Endurance: 30 points, Strength: 0,Balance: 30, Flexibility: 20, and Body Composition: 20. When dividingBody Composition over the 2 groups, this would lead to Endurance: 40points and Bal/Str/Flx: 60 points, which corresponds to 40 and 60percent respectively.iii) The number of minutes to be spent on each of the two groups iscalculated by using the percentages and the total number of minutes theuser wants to exercise per week, e.g. 30 minutes endurance and 45minutes Bal/Str/Flx.iv) The exercise sessions are filled by the user. One strategy is: filleach session with one group of exercises (so either Endurance orBalance-Strength-Flexibility exercises), and assign different groups toconsecutive sessions (to prevent that the same fitness dimension (suchas Endurance) is addressed in consecutive days). In the example abovethis would lead to: 30 minutes endurance exercises on Tuesday, and 45minutes Bal/Str/Flx exercises on Thursday. In some cases this may stilllead to a situation that the same fitness dimension is addressed inconsecutive days; in those cases the system recommends the user to varythe intensity of these exercise sessions (e.g. alternating anaerobic andaerobic endurance sessions). Another strategy is to address all exerciseareas in each session: in that case the amount of time per area persession corresponds to the percentages calculated in the previous step.

FIG. 3 depicts graphically one embodiment of the present invention wherethe user is given the option of filling out a template with exercises ofhis/her own choice. The user is assisted and guided via the interfacedisplayed at the display 503 by applying all necessary exercise—as wellas behavioral knowledge. The example here shows only strength exercises,but this may just as well apply for all exercise areas picked. As anexample, a care may be taken of a well chosen selection of exercises bye.g. dividing the body into 3 parts 301-303 and inviting the user toselect exercises that address all parts. Also, a care may be taken of awell chosen selection of exercises that prevent/treat muscular imbalanceby always addressing agonistic and antagonistic muscle groups.

FIG. 4 depicts graphically one embodiment of the present inventionshowing where a user interface is displayed at the display 503 forassisting the user in selecting the desired exercise intensity (forstrength exercises, and for endurance exercises without using a heartrate monitor). This may be done by asking the user to indicate his/herRating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) at the end of each set on thescientifically validated Borg scale. In order to have a sufficienttraining stimulus to induce further physiological adaptations, it isrequired to terminate each set with an RPE level of 13 to 15 (no mattere.g. how many repetitions the user has done). If the indicated RPE levelis below this level, it may be suggested to the user to increase theexercise intensity (e.g. by doing more repetitions or by using heavierweights), or to select more intense exercises (for this purpose eachexercise in the exercise library is labeled either light, medium orheavy to provide the user with an indication about the difficulty).

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a physical fitness system 500 according tothe present invention for generating a personalized exercise programtemplate for a user comprising a first input unit (I_U_1) 501, aprocessor (P) 502, said display (D) 503 and a second input unit (I_U_2)504.

The first input unit (I_U_1) 501 acquiring fitness related data from theuser indicating an initial physical fitness shape of the user, e.g. byletting the user undergo various fitness tests, e.g. strength andendurance exercises and by entering various information about the user(e.g. age and gender).

The processor (P) 502 constructs a fitness proposal plan for the userbased on the collected fitness related data, where as discussed inrelation to FIG. 1, the constructing includes comparing the acquiredfitness related data with reference fitness data for correspondingfitness tests results in one or more corresponding fitness categories.The reference fitness data is selected in accordance to the acquiredfitness related data and indicate a reference fitness shape for theuser. The processor further determines a deviation indicator for each ofsaid categories indicating the deviation between the acquired fitnessrelated data and said reference data within the same fitness category.

Said display (D) 503 is preferably operated by the processor (P) 502 andpresents the deviation indicators, e.g. said pillars 200 a-e, to theuser so as to indicate the initial physical fitness shape of the usercompared to the reference fitness shape for each of said categories.

The second input unit (I_U_2) 504 receives first input data from theuser indicting the user's target effort for each of said categories. Asdiscussed in relation to FIGS. 2-3, the second input unit (I_U_2) 504may be integrated into the display (D) 503, e.g. as touch buttonsensors, speech sensors and the like that receives the first input datafrom the user via e.g. a touch button command or speech command. Thesedata are accordingly collected and used by the processor (P) 502 forcomposing an exercise program template for the user based on thereceived user input. As discussed in relation to FIG. 1, the composingis performed in accordance to a set of rules indicating distribution ofsaid effort for each of said categories over exercise sessions, andexercise prescriptions for the corresponding said categories and saidsessions. Said set of rules may further indicate exercise suggestionsfor the corresponding said categories and said sessions or an exerciselibrary from which the user can select exercises per fitness category.

The system further comprise a third and a fourth input unit (not shown)for receiving said second and/or third input data from the user (see inrelation to FIG. 1). This data may e.g. include user's preferredexercises for each of the said exercise sessions in said exerciseprogram template and/or the moments the user wants to exercise, thedurations the user wants to exercise at the exercise sessions, aduration of the exercise program, number of sessions, length of thesession, pauses between sessions, length of the exercise program, or acombination of one or more of the above. The second and/or third inputunit may be one and the same input unit and even be the same input unitas said second input unit (I_U_2) 504, i.e. sensors that are integratedinto said display (D) 503, or speech command sensors and the like. Theprocessor (P) 502 uses the received third and/or fourth input data incomposing a personalized exercise program.

Certain specific details of the disclosed embodiment are set forth forpurposes of explanation rather than limitation, so as to provide a clearand thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it shouldbe understood by those skilled in this art, that the present inventionmight be practiced in other embodiments that do not conform exactly tothe details set forth herein, without departing significantly from thespirit and scope of this disclosure. Further, in this context, and forthe purposes of brevity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-knownapparatuses, circuits and methodologies have been omitted so as to avoidunnecessary detail and possible confusion.

Reference signs are included in the claims, however the inclusion of thereference signs is only for clarity reasons and should not be construedas limiting the scope of the claims.

1. A method of generating a personalized exercise program template for auser, comprising: acquiring fitness related data from the user (101)indicating an initial physical fitness shape of the user, the acquiredfitness related data being based on physical fitness results from anumber of fitness tests undergone by the user in one or more fitnesscategories, constructing a fitness proposal plan (103) for the userbased on said collected fitness related data, the constructingincluding: comparing the acquired fitness related data with referencefitness data for corresponding fitness tests results in one or morecorresponding fitness categories the reference fitness data beingselected in accordance to said acquired fitness related data andindicate a reference fitness shape for the user, determining a deviationindicator for each of said categories indicating the deviation betweenthe acquired fitness related data and said reference data within thesame fitness category, presenting the deviation indicators to the user(105) so as to indicate the initial physical fitness shape of the usercompared to said reference fitness shape for each of said categories,receiving first input data from the user (107) indicting the user'starget effort for each of said categories, and composing an exerciseprogram template for the user (109) based on the received user input,the composing being performed in accordance to a set of rulesindicating: distribution of said effort for each of said categories overexercise sessions, and exercise prescriptions for corresponding saidcategories and said sessions.
 2. A method according to claim 1, whereinsaid set of rules further indicate: exercise suggestions for thecorresponding said categories and said sessions, the method furthercomprising, receiving second input data from the user (111) indicatingthe user's preferred exercises based on the exercise suggestions, andusing the received second input data in composing a personalizedexercise program.
 3. A method according to claim 1, further comprisingreceiving third input data (113) from the user, the third input databeing selected from: the moments the user wants to exercise, thedurations the user wants to exercise at the exercise sessions, aduration of the exercise program, a combination of one or more of theabove, where the received third input data are used in composing apersonalized exercise program.
 4. A method according to claim 3, whereinthe acquired fitness related data further include: the age of the user,or the gender of the user, or medical related data indicating themedical condition of the user, or psychological status of the user, or acombination of one or more of the above
 5. A method according to claim1, wherein said number of categories is selected from: endurance,strength, balance, flexibility, body composition, a combination of oneor more of the above, wherein each of said categories is scaled into twoor more performance levels.
 6. A computer program product forinstructing a processing unit to execute the method step of claim 1 whenthe product is run on a computer.
 7. A physical fitness system (500) forgenerating a personalized exercise program template for a user,comprising: a first input unit (501) for acquiring fitness related datafrom the user indicating an initial physical fitness shape of the user,the acquired fitness related data being based on physical fitnessresults from a number of fitness tests undergone by the user in one ormore fitness categories, a processor (502) for constructing a fitnessproposal plan for the user based on said collected fitness related data,the constructing including: comparing the acquired fitness related datawith reference fitness data for corresponding fitness tests results inone or more corresponding fitness categories, the reference fitness databeing selected in accordance to said acquired fitness related data andindicate a reference fitness shape for the user, determining a deviationindicator (200 a-e) for each of said categories indicating the deviationbetween the acquired fitness related data and said reference data withinthe same fitness category, a display (503) for presenting the deviationindicators to the user so as to indicate the initial physical fitnessshape of the user compared to said reference fitness shape for each ofsaid categories, a second input unit (504) for receiving first inputdata (201 a-e) from the user indicting the user's target effort for eachof said categories, and a processor (503) for composing an exerciseprogram template for the user based on the received user input, thecomposing being performed in accordance to a set of rules indicating:distribution of said effort for each of said categories over exercisesessions, and exercise prescriptions for the corresponding saidcategories and said sessions.
 8. A physical fitness system according toclaim 7, said set of rules further indicate exercise suggestions for thecorresponding said categories and said sessions, the system furthercomprising a third input unit for receiving second input data from theuser (111) indicating the user's preferred exercises for each of thesaid exercise sessions in said exercise template, where the processor(502) uses the received second input data in composing a personalizedexercise program.
 9. A physical fitness system according to claim 7,further comprising a fourth input unit for receiving third input data(113) from the user, the third input data being selected from themoments the user wants to exercise, the durations the user wants toexercise at the exercise sessions, a duration of the exercise program, acombination of one or more of the above, where the received third inputdata are used in composing a personalized exercise program.